A new research from the Texas A&M College College of Public Well being discovered that solely 9 p.c of older People had been vaccinated towards respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) previous to this fall and winter, regardless of the specter of elevated charges of hospitalization and deaths nationwide from the virus.
RSV-;together with COVID-19 and influenza-;type the present ‘tripledemic’ discovered throughout the US this fall and winter. Whereas the aged, in addition to the very younger and people with power well being circumstances, sometimes are affected greater than others, the excellent news is that vaccines now can be found for all three of those respiratory viruses.”
Simon Haeder, PhD, the research’s writer
The research, one of many first to deal with seniors and RSV, was printed in Well being Affairs Scholar. It requested 1,345 People over the age of 60 about their present RSV vaccination standing and their intention to get the vaccine. Though RSV often causes delicate, cold-like signs that final every week or two, it might probably additionally result in severe sickness. Based on the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC), 60,000 to 160,000 seniors in the US are hospitalized with RSV annually, and 6,000 to 10,000 in the end die from the an infection.
The research discovered that males had been extra more likely to be vaccinated towards RSV than girls, and that those that had been vaccinated had increased ranges of concern in regards to the illness, believed they had been at higher danger for getting the illness, believed that vaccines had been secure and vital, and had increased ranges of belief in well being establishments.
Of the 91 p.c of seniors who had been unvaccinated towards RSV, 42 p.c stated they deliberate to get the vaccination. Respondents who had been vaccine hesitant reported that they didn’t want the vaccine, lacked details about the vaccine and had considerations about its negative effects and security.
“Though the vaccines are 83 p.c to 89 p.c efficient in stopping lung infections, the CDC didn’t formally advocate them this yr, which can have additionally been an element,” Haeder stated. “As well as, vaccine hesitancy is rising worldwide in response to COVID-19.”
The possible outcomes shall be extra diseases, hospitalizations and deaths among the many vaccine hesitant, particularly among the many very younger, aged and those that have power well being circumstances, Haeder stated.
Haeder’s research is the newest in a sequence of research assessing vaccination hesitancy in the US. Earlier research have checked out dad and mom’ intention to hunt out vaccinations towards COVID-19, influenza and RSV for his or her youngsters, in addition to adults’ intention to hunt out vaccinations towards COVID-19. Haeder additionally beforehand assessed vaccination hesitancy amongst pet house owners.
Haeder stated vaccine hesitancy might be addressed by way of insurance policies that target the potential advantages of vaccination and the potential dangers of not being vaccinated, together with programs-;particularly these tailor-made for women-;that debunk deceptive claims about RSV and its vaccines.
“Not solely will the unvaccinated place an amazing burden on the well being care system, however their diseases might have been prevented or mitigated by vaccinations,” Haeder stated. “The prices to society shall be giant and can have an effect on society as an entire.”
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Journal reference:
Haeder, S. F. (2024). U.S. Seniors’ Intention to Vaccinate In opposition to RSV in Fall and Winter 2023. Well being Affairs Scholar. doi.org/10.1093/haschl/qxae003.
